Spring 2014 Certified Press

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A 65-year milestone for CDA certification
Each year, thousands of dental assistants across the country earn or renew their DANB certification. As DANB certificants know, earning and maintaining certification is a big achievement, with numerous benefits. But many may not realize that last year marked the 65th anniversary of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. Much has changed during the last several decades, with the scope of dental assisting duties increasing in states across the country, providing more opportunities for growth and development.

DANB CDA founds company, serves country
For Kim Coad-Cochran, CDA, dental assisting has been both a fulfilling career and a way to give back to her country. Coad-Cochran founded her own company, Compass Medical Provider (CMP), as a way to provide dental care to military personnel. Coad-Cochran credits her father’s service in Vietnam as a medic in the Army as the inspiration for her work today. “He said their medical and dental care was minimal, and dental was virtually ignored,” she says.

Looking back on a dental assisting career
When Orsola Burnette Kurtz, CDA, received her 35- year certification gift in the mail she was surprised and appreciative. “What an honor,” she says. “I have been keeping my 25-year paperweight displayed in my china closet, and now the 35-year recognition pens will be so useful for writing my holiday cards.” Kurtz, who says she comes from a dental family, has seen a lot change in her many years in the profession.